See David Run: November 2017

Starting line selfies: Photo credit
Andrea Afshar (bottom corner),
NYC Marathoners

Unlucky number 13. Marathon 13 that is. Preceded by one of my most challenging training cycles. Again, I had to let this one marinate for a little while before I started writing in my blog. Too much emotions, some similar and some new, that I have to sort out before I can make sense of them and start writing my thoughts in my outdated version of Microsoft Word. So what have I concluded after marathon number 13? That luck does play a part in achieving your goals as a marathoner, but it still is only one variable.

Rough start to my training cycle: 1st race since my
rib injury - San Francisco 1st Half Marathon

Each marathon is a learning experience that you can build off of for your next marathon. Obviously our bodies can only handle so much and as we age, we need to take the correct steps to ensure that we can handle any unexpected variables that might prevent us from achieving our marathon potential. And that learning experience from previous marathons, I certainly took into account as I went into my 4^th TCS New York City Marathon. I knew after last year’s 2 marathon-Fall season (well the last three Fall seasons were 2 marathon Fall seasons) that I wanted to give my 13^th marathon, “the training that it deserved”.

Getting my confidence back at the
New Balance 5th Avenue Mile

“The training it deserved” turned into a fight to bring myself back from a pretty serious injury.
Early in the cycle, I had to cut workout shorts because of my rib injury. Although I was cleared to resume physical activity, I had to listen to my body much more to make sure I can even make it to the starting line. My confidence grew after running a strong 5^th Avenue Mile (comparable to last year). Although I was 1 second shy of last year’s time, my 2^nd half was ran well under the 5 minute pace when I threw on the jets at the 800 meter mark. It was then I knew that I would definitely run NYC again this fall. But I had to train smart.

The two-month lay-off from the injury allowed for some serious hamstring healing; so no need to visit my physical therapist. Yes I wanted to do well and get that strength training in but how can I justify expense if I didn’t feel any issues with my hamstring. Thus, resulting in a half ass strength-training regimen, just like I did for London. The training a marathon deserves REQUIRES a solid strength-training program, and this I realize in hindsight was what was lacking.

Mile 25!! I can taste the finish line. If only I can just keep the pace that I managed to maintain throughout the marathon. Pulaski Bridge – CONQUERED! Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge – thanks to the extra practice runs in the weeks leading up to the race – CONQUERED! Willis Avenue Bridge – for the first time in the 4 times I’ve run NYC – CONQUERED! I was feeling great as I managed to get myself back down to a 7:05 to 7:10ish pace as I was pacing through the Bronx in rhythmic fashion. Back in the Manhattan, high 5 for Alice and Michelle, and I was good until the 5th Avenue. Ok… my pace is getting a little slower but let me just get through this slow rising hill and I can get my pace back after the CPTC Wall of Orange when I enter Central Park at Engineer’s Gate. A thumbs up to our team photographer (or maybe he’s not our team photographer… you’ll have to ask John Le Tran for yourself… either way his photos are amazing) and I was ready to kick for the last 2 miles. A little bit of recovery before the backside of Cat Hill and let’s do this.

Recovering after 5th Avenue Uphill while spotting John Le Tran with his camera and
the rest of the CPTC - New Balance teammates.

Yet there was no kick. As a matter of fact a little bit of deliriousness settled in. I haven’t felt this way since my earlier closer to 4-hour marathons when I was less experienced. Ok… I am still conscious; I know where I am. I’ve run Central Park 1000 times so just one foot in front of the other. Starting to feel dazed and dizzy, as I extended my stride down Cat Hill and the hamstring wanted to go. I started running stiff legged so that it wouldn’t pop. No gunshot pulls, just the strain that I can live with as I ran with one leg straight fighting through to the finish. As I approached 59^th I only heard one voice, “David finish strong, only a little bit left.” Aside from the white noise and the shouts of “Go David” I was numb too from previous New York City Marathons, Ron Romano was clearly in my head as his voice stood out from all the rest. His phenomenal training cycle which included a 330+ mile month of July and his excellent performance in the Chicago heat just 4 weeks prior had me thinking ahead during my taper on how I was going to tackle my Boston marathon training.

Ron Romano, a source of inspiration this
training cycle and during the last mile of the race.

It was then I had to reach deep into every fiber of energy I can find in order to finish. I was slow at that point running at almost 9 minute pace, but I wasn’t going to stop. I had nothing left as Ron passed me turning the corner on 59^th Street. Delirious, dizzy, strained hamstring, rib pains (which came during the Ed Koch Bridge by the way) and now hunger pains couldn’t stop me. I felt terrible but I finished in 3:13:45. I could have saved at least 2 minutes had it not been the four times I stopped to tie and finally tuck in my shoelaces earlier in the race. My third Boston Qualifier, yes but not that 5 minute cushion I needed to guarantee my spot for 2019.

Absolutely nothing left as I crossed the finish line- looking and feeling terrible and totally drained.

So marathons don’t always go the way you wish. Yes, I’ve run enough of these to know how to better prepare for them. On the other hand, I did want to enjoy this year in running a little more after my marathon PR and BQ performance in Chicago last year. I did feel happier at this finish line than in any previous marathon (except Chicago). I came back from a painful work related injury to run my second fastest marathon and fastest New York City. Yet it wasn’t the training that this marathon deserved. Every training run required stronger effort, calculated intensity, and strategic recovery. But life gets in the way so I am certainly proud of the effort I put forth. And I left absolutely everything out there on the course. This marathon was certainly my conclusion to the preparation leading up to the race. Like taking an exam after you spent a considerable amount of time studying.

Respect the shooter: @str8kim of Runthesol.com catches me at mile 9 before entering Wiliamsburg, Brooklyn.